Connector assembly with visual, tactile and audible indication

ABSTRACT

A connector assembly is disclosed which includes first and second mating connector members, and a coupling ring carried by one of the connector members for moving the other connector member axially into mating relation therewith. A visual and tactile indicating assembly is operatively associated with the connector members and the coupling ring and includes a radially inwardly self-biased split indicating ring carried by the coupling ring. The indicating ring is movable radially relative to the coupling ring from a retracted position to an outwardly projecting indicating position in response to a predetermined positioning of the other connector member in relation to the one connector member and the coupling ring. The ring provides an omni-directional visual and tactile indication of the relative positioning of the mating connector members. The connector assembly also includes an audible indicating mechanism which provides a self-locking feature for the connector assembly.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to coupling or connector assemblies, such aselectrical connectors, fiber optic connectors, and the like, and isequally applicable for in-line connection as well as connection betweena single conductor, fiber, or the like, to a terminal means.

More particularly, this invention relates to a connector which has acoupling member, such as a coupling ring, for mating a pair of connectormembers and providing visual, audible and tactile indication fordetermining if the connector assembly is functionally coupled.

Many attempts have been made to provide visual, audible and/or tactilemeans for indicating the mating condition of electrical connectors,fiber optic connectors, or the like. One of the principal problems inproviding such indications is in the area of the visual indication.Audible indicating means normally have no directional limitations as tothe positioning of the connector in relation to a user or operator. Thesame holds true for some tactile indicating means, because a user can,through some sort of manual manipulation, determine the functionalcondition of the connector when tactile indicating means are employed.However, visual indicating means heretofore provided in connectorassemblies, or the like, are limited by the directional observationallimitations of an individual.

For instance, prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,552,777 to Heinrich et al.;3,786,396 to Kemmer; 3,801,954 to Dorrell; 3,808,580 to Johnson; and4,059,324 to Snyder et al. all show various attempts to provide visualindication in an electrical connector for indicating the desired degreeof tightness, for instance, between mated connectors.

More particularly, Kemmer 3,786,396 and Heinrich 3,552,777 show threadedelectrical connectors which are provided with annular slots or windowsin the coupling ring thereof through which a painted bright color on anaxially movable inner member is observable. However, observation of thisindication is limited by an observer having to be positionedsubstantially directly radially outwardly of a slot or window in orderto observe the presence or absence of the inner color-coded visualindication. In both the Johnson 3,808,580 and Snyder 4,059,324 patents,ridges or projections are provided for observation through notches orslots and, again, the visual observation thereof is limited by the samepositioning requirements of an observer as in the Heinrich patent. InDorrell 3,801,954, an attempt is made to provide externally visibleindication by means of applying heat to a metallic member so as toactually deform the member itself. Such a process is quite expensive inassembly and certainly is not at all applicable to field assembly andusage of the connector as is contemplated by the present invention.

The present invention, therefore, is directed to providing a new andimproved connector assembly of the character described with visual,audible and tactile indicating means for determining the positioning ofa pair of connector members, conductors, fibers, or the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedvisual and tactile indicating means in a connector or coupling assembly.

A principal advantage of the invention is to provide such a visual andtactile indicating means which is omni-directional for observation by anindividual from any direction regardless of the positioning of theconnector.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the indicating meansthereof is disclosed in conjunction with an electrical connectorassembly having first and second mating connector members, eachconnector member including engageable contact means adapted for axialconnection in engagement with the contact means of the other connectormember. However, it is contemplated that the invention is equallyapplicable for a wide variety of connector assemblies, such as fiberoptic connectors, or the like. As disclosed herein, a rotatable couplingring is carried by one of the connector members. The other connectormember and the coupling ring have complementarily engageable releasableconnecting means, such as screw threads, for moving the other connectormember axially into mating relation with the one connector member. Ofcourse, other engageable releasable connecting means, such as bayonetand pin connections or "snatch" connections, also are contemplated.Visual indicating means is associated with the coupling ring and ismovable radially relative thereto from a retracted position to anindicating position projecting outwardly of the coupling ring inresponse to a predetermined positioning of the other connector member inrelation to the coupling ring and the one mating connector member. Thevisual indicating means, when in its retracted position, is radiallydisposed at least within the adjacent peripheral bounds of the couplingring and is progressively moved outwardly to its indicating position bythe progressive coupling of the threaded coupling ring and the otherconnector member.

More particularly, the visual indicating means of the present inventionincludes a band-like member which is disposed within an outercircumferential groove of the coupling ring and extends substantiallyentirely about the coupling ring to provide an omni-directional visualindication of the relative positioning of the mating connector members.The band-like indicating member is in the form of a split ring which isself-biased radially inwardly toward its retracted position. Biasingmeans in the form of an inner cam ring is carried by the one connectormember and has inclined cam ramps disposed thereon at an angle to theaxis of the connector assembly. The cam ring is provided with limitedaxial movement relative to the one connector member. A plurality of ballbearings are disposed in radially open-ended bores in the coupling ringbetween the inner cam ring and the outer split indicating ring andengageable therewith for transmitting axial movement of the inner camring, resulting from abutment with the other connector member, to radialoutward movement of the indicating ring to its indicating position. Aspring wave washer is carried by the one connector member between anannular flange thereof and the cam ring to urge the cam ring in anaxially outward non-indicating direction.

Detent means is provided between the cam ring and the one connectormember providing an audible as well as tactile indication of the matingof the connector members, as well as providing a self locking featurefor the connector assembly. More particularly, a plurality of detentrecesses are disposed in a radially extending, inwardly facing surfaceof the cam ring. At least one detent protrusion is provided on thespring wave washer providing a ratcheting action with the detentrecesses, as well as a self-locking feature when the spring wave washeris fully compressed.

With the visual indicating band in its radially protruding indicatingposition, not only is an omni-directional indicating means provided forthe connector assembly, but the protruding band provides a ready tactileindication of the condition of the connector assembly.

The split indicating ring is overlapped substantially at its ends toprovide a full 360° circumferential indicating surface therefor.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially fragmented and sectional view of the connectorassembly of the present invention, showing the receptacle connectormember in phantom and the protruding position of the indicating band inphantom;

FIG. 2 is a partial axial sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 1, butwith the receptacle connector member in fully mated position, and withthe indicating means in its fully operative indicating position;

FIG. 3 is an axial elevational view of the inner face of the cam ringshowing the detent recesses thereof;

FIG. 4 is an axial elevational view of the spring wave washer showingthe detent protrusions thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the spring wave washer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an axial elevational view of the split ring visual indicatingband-like member of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the visual indicating band of FIG.6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the invention herein isdisclosed as embodied in an electrical connector, generally designated10 in FIG. 1. However, it should be understood that the invention iscontemplated for a wide variety of applications such as in fiber opticconnectors, and other connector assemblies.

The electrical connector assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first orplug connector member 12 and a second or receptacle connector 14 (FIG.2). The plug connector member 12 has an insert member 16, as is known,in which is disposed one or more electrical contacts, such as the pincontacts 18. The other connector member 14, as is known, also carries aninsert member which houses receptacle contacts for receiving the pincontacts 18. The insert member and receptacle contacts for the otherconnector member 14 are known and are not shown in the drawings so as tofacilitate the invention of the indicating means described hereinafter.

However, the connector members 12 and 14 are adapted for axialconnection of the contact means thereof in engagement with the contactmeans of the other connector member.

More particularly, a coupling ring 20 is carried by the connector member12 and is held in position thereon for rotation relative thereto bymeans of a retaining ring 22.

The connector member 14 (FIG. 2) and the coupling ring 20 havecomplementarily engageable releasable connecting means for moving theconnector member axially into mating relation to the receptacleconnector member 12. More particularly, the coupling ring 20 hasinternal threads 24 for cooperation with external threads 26 of theconnector member 14 to draw the connector member axially into matingrelation with the connector member 12. This draws the respective contactmeans of the connector members into mating engagement, and, as describedbelow, effects movement or actuation of the visual, tactile and audibleindicating means of the present invention.

Visual indicating means is provided and is associated with the couplingring 20 and is movable radially relative thereto from a retractedposition (FIG. 1) shown at least within the adjacent peripheral boundsof the coupling ring to a second, indicating position (FIG. 2)projecting outwardly of the coupling ring in response to the aforesaidpositioning of the connector member 14 within the coupling ring.

More particularly, the visual indicating means of the present inventionincludes a band-like member 28 in the form of a slit ring which isdisposed within an annular peripheral recess or groove 30 extendingentirely about the outside of the coupling ring 20. The split indicatingring 28, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is an interleaved, overlappingconstruction having free ends 32 so as to provide both a 360° visualindication, as well as to provide for the split indicating ring to beself-biased radially inwardly toward its retracted position. By meansdescribed in detail below, the indicating ring 28 is movable from aretracted, inwardly self-biased position shown in FIG. 1 to an outerexpanded or protruding position shown in FIG. 2.

Means is provided for biasing the indicating ring 28 from its retractedposition shown in FIG. 1 to its expanded position shown in FIG. 2, inresponse to axial mating movement of the connector member 14 toward theconnector member 12, by the aforesaid threaded engagement with thecoupling ring 20. More particularly, the biasing means includes a camring 34 disposed on the one connector member 12 and having limited axialmovement relative thereto and relative to the coupling ring 20, within agroove 36 about the exterior of the connector member 12. A plurality ofball bearings 38 are disposed within respective ones of a plurality ofradially open-ended bores 40 in the coupling ring 20. The open-endedbores 40 extend between the indicating ring 28 and the cam ring 34, andthe ball bearings are engageable therewith for transmitting axialmovement of the inner cam ring 34, due to abutment by the connectormember 14, to radial outward movement of the indicating ring 28 towardits expanded position shown in FIG. 2. In order to facilitatetransmitting axial movement of the inner cam ring to radial outwardmovement of the indicating ring, the cam ring 34 is provided with cammeans in the form of an inclined cam ramp 42 for each of the ballbearings 38. The cam ramp 42, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, extends at anangle to the axis of the connector assembly. The cam ramp 42 may beprovided by a continuous cam surface extending circumferentially aboutthe outside of the cam ring 34, or, of course, other means may beprovided such as inclined recesses or other means in the outer peripheryof the cam ring.

In view of the foregoing, and referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seenthat prior to threading the connector member 14 and the contact meansthereof into engagement with the coupling ring 20, the indicating ring28 is self-biased inwardly to a retracted position radially within theadjacent peripheral bounds of the coupling ring. The ball bearings 38also are biased inwardly into the peripheral groove or recesses whichdefine the cam ramp 42 in the periphery of the cam ring 34. Inoperation, as the connector member 14 is drawn axially into matingcondition with the connector member 12, by means of the threads 24, 26of the coupling ring 20 and the connector member 14, the inner face 46of the connector member 14 abuts against the outer face 48 of the camring 34 and urges the cam ring to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2.As the cam ring 34 moves inwardly, or to the left as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the cam surfaces 42 engage the ball bearings 38 and bias the ballbearings outwardly into engagement with the inside of the indicatingring 28. Continued axial movement of the connector member 14 in aninwardly mating direction (see arrow A in FIG. 2) causes the cam ring 34to continue to move axially inwardly until the cam ramp surface 42,through the ball bearings 38, moves the indicating ring 28 to its fullindicating position shown in FIG. 2. The indicating ring also is shownin its full indicating position by the phantom lines in FIG. 1.

In the indicating position of the indicating ring 28 shown in FIG. 2, itis readily apparent that a full 360° omni-directional visual indicationof the mating condition of the connector members is afforded. Regardlessof the position of the connector, such as in confined conditions in theaircraft or other industries, the mating condition of the connector isreadily observable. In addition, it can be seen that since theindicating ring 28 starts from a retracted position substantially withinthe adjacent peripheral bounds of the coupling ring 20, an unmatedcondition of the connector assembly also is readily apparent, as well asany condition of the mating connector members therebetween. Furthermore,with the indicating ring extending entirely about the connectorassembly, ready tactile indication is afforded by a minimal amount ofmanual manipulation or touching of the connector assembly even if theconnector assembly is hidden from view.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a self-lockingfeature for the connector assembly which, in addition, provides anaudible indication of the mating of the assembly. More particularly,detent means is provided between the cam ring 34 and the one connectormember 12. The detent means includes a plurality of detent recesses 50formed in the axially inner face of the cam ring 34. A spring wavewasher, generally designated 52 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), is carried by thecoupling ring 20 on the inside thereof for rotation therewith. Inparticular, the spring wave washer 52 has a plurality of radiallyoutwardly protruding keying tabs 54 which protrude into slots 56 on theinside of the coupling ring 20. The spring wave washer 52 has aplurality of integral detent protrusions 56 which cooperate with thedetent recesses 50 of the cam ring 34 to provide a ratcheting action. Asthe connector member 14 is drawn axially into the coupling ring 20 asdescribed above, and the connector member abuts against the cam ring 34to move the cam ring axially inwardly, the detent protrusions 56 of thespring wave washer 52 enter the detent recesses 50 of the cam ring toprovide said ratcheting action and an audible indication of the matingof the connector members. The cam ring 34 has a plurality of radiallyinwardly protruding keying tabs 58 which protrude into slots 60 on theoutside of the connector member 12 to rotationally fix the cam ringrelative thereto but permit the aforesaid axial movement relativethereto.

In addition, as the spring wave washer 52 is compressed by abutment ofthe mating end of the connector member 14 with the cam ring 34, theincreased forces created thereby, in combination with the seating of thedetent protrusions 56 of the spring wave washer within the detentrecesses 50 of the cam ring 34, effects a self-locking condition for theconnector assembly to prevent unintentional uncoupling of the connectormembers, such as under extreme vibration conditions.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. In a connector assembly which includes first and secondconnector members adapted for mating engagement;a coupling member fordrawing said connector members into mating engagement; and indicatingmeans associated with said coupling member and at least one of saidconnector members for movement between a first non-indicating positionand a second indicating position in response to a predeterminedpositional relationship of said connector members, said indicating meanswhen in one of said positions being disposed outside of andsubstantially entirely surrounding the peripheral bounds of the couplingmember.
 2. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said indicatingmeans includes an outer band-like member extending circumferentiallyabout said coupling member and movable between said positions so as toprovide an omni-directional indication of the relative positioning ofsaid mating connector members.
 3. The connector assembly of claim 1wherein said indicating means when in the other of said positions isdisposed at least within the peripheral bounds of the coupling member.4. In a connector assembly which includes first and second connectormembers adapted for mating engagement;a coupling member for drawing saidconnector members into mating engagement; indicating means associatedwith said coupling member and at least one of said connector members formovement between a first non-indicating position and a second indicatingposition in response to a predetermined positional relationship of saidconnector members, said indicating means when in one of said positionsbeing disposed outside of and substantially entirely about theperipheral bounds of the coupling member; said indicating meansincluding an outer band-like member extending circumferentially aboutsaid coupling member and movable between said positions so as to providean omni-directional indication of the relative positioning of saidmating connector members; and an inner cam member carried by one of saidconnector members and engageable by the other connector member forbiasing said band-like member from said non-indicating position to saidindicating position in response to said predetermined positioning ofsaid connector members.
 5. The connector assembly of claim 4 whereinsaid band-like member extends substantially entirely about said couplingmember and including a plurality of ball bearings disposed in radiallyopen-ended bores in said coupling member between said inner cam memberand said outer band-like member and engageable therewith fortransmitting movement of said inner cam member in a mating direction totransverse movement of said band-like member toward said indicationposition.
 6. The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said band-likemember comprises a split ring member which is self-biased inwardlytoward a retracted position.
 7. The connector assembly of claim 6including spring means between said cam member and said one connectormember.
 8. The connector assembly of claim 4 including detent meansbetween said cam member and said one connector member providing anaudible indication of the mating relation of said connector members. 9.The connector assembly of claim 8 wherein said detent means includes aplurality of detent recesses disposed in a radially extending, inwardlyfacing surface of said cam member, and spring means on said oneconnector member having at least one detent protrusion providing aratcheting self-locking action with said detent recesses.
 10. In aconnector assembly which includes first and second connector members,each connector member including mating means adapted for axialconnection in engagement with the mating means of the other connectormember;a coupling ring carried by one of said connector members; saidother connector member and said coupling ring having complementarilyengageable releasable connecting means for moving the connector membersaxially into mating relation with each other; and indicating meansassociated with said coupling ring and movable radially relative theretobetween a first non-indicating position and a second indicating positionin response to a predetermined positional relationship of said connectormembers, said indicating means when in one of said positions beingdisposed outside of and substantially entirely surrounding said couplingring.
 11. In a connector assembly which includes first and secondconnector members, each connector member including mating means adaptedfor axial connection in engagement with the mating means of the otherconnector member;a coupling ring carried by one of said connectormembers; said other connector member and said coupling ring havingcomplementarily engageable releasable connecting means for moving theconnector members axially into mating relation with each other; andindicating means associated with said coupling ring and movable radiallyrelative thereto between a first non-indicating position and a secondindicating position in response to a predetermined positionalrelationship of said connector members, said indicating means when inone of said positions being disposed outside of and substantiallyentirely about said coupling ring; said indicating means when in theother of said positions being disposed at least within the adjacentperipheral bounds of said coupling ring.
 12. In a connector assemblywhich includes first and second connector members, each connector memberincluding mating means adapted for axial connection in engagement withthe mating means of the other connector member;a coupling ring carriedby one of said connector members; said other connector member and saidcoupling ring having complementarily engageable releasable connectingmeans for moving the connector members axially into mating relation witheach other; and indicating means associated with said coupling ring andmovable radially relative thereto between a first non-indicatingposition and a second indicating position in response to a predeterminedpositional relationship of said connector members, said indicating meanswhen in one of said positions being disposed outside of andsubstantially entirely about said coupling ring; said indicating meansincluding an outer band-like member extending circumferentially aboutsaid coupling ring and movable between said positions so as to providean omni-directional visual indication of the relative positioning ofsaid mating connector members.
 13. The connector assembly of claim 12including means operatively associated between said band-like member andsaid other connector member for biasing said band-like member from saidother position to said indicating position in response to saidpredetermined positioning of said other connector member.
 14. Theconnector assembly of claim 13 wherein said biasing means includes cammeans for biasing said band-like member in a radial direction inresponse to axial mating movement of said other connector member. 15.The connector assembly of claim 14 wherein said biasing means comprisesan inner cam ring disposed on said one connector member with said cammeans disposed thereon, the cam ring having limited axial movementrelative to said one connector member.
 16. The connector assembly ofclaim 15 wherein said band-like member comprises a split ring memberextending substantially entirely about said coupling ring, the splitring member being self-biased radially inwardly toward said retractedposition.
 17. The connector assembly of claim 15 including at least oneball bearing disposed in a radially open-ended bore in said couplingring between said inner cam ring and said outer band-like member andengageable therewith for transmitting axial movement of said inner camring to radial outward movement of said band-like member toward saidindicating position.
 18. The connector assembly of claim 17 wherein saidband-like member extends substantially entirely about said couplingmember, and including a plurality of ball bearings circumferentiallyspaced about said coupling member for engaging said band-like member.19. The connector assembly of claim 18 wherein said band-like membercomprises a split ring member which is self-biased radially inwardlytoward the other of said positions.
 20. The connector assembly of claim15 including spring means between said cam ring and said one connectormember to urge the cam ring axially outwardly relative to the oneconnector member.
 21. The connector assembly of claim 15 wherein saidcam means on said cam ring comprises a cam ramp extending at an angle tothe axis of said connector assembly.
 22. The connector assembly of claim15, including detent means between said cam ring and said one connectormember providing an audible indication of the mating relation of saidconnector members.
 23. The connector assembly of claim 22 wherein saiddetent means includes a plurality of detent recesses disposed in aradially extending, inwardly facing surface of said cam ring, and springmeans on said one connector member having at least one detent protrusionproviding a ratcheting action with said detent recesses.
 24. In aconnector assembly which includes first and second mating connectormembers, each connector member including engageable contact means,fibers, or the like, adapted for axial connection in engagement with thecontact means, fibers, or the like, of the other connector member;acoupling ring carried by one of said connector members; said otherconnector member and said coupling ring having complementarilyengageable releasable connecting means for moving the connector membersaxially into mating relation with each other; and visual indicatingmeans associated with said coupling ring and movable radially relativethereto from a retracted position to an indicating position projectingoutwardly of the coupling ring in response to a predeterminedpositioning of said other connector member in relation to the couplingring, said visual indicating means including; an outer band-like memberextending substantially entirely about said coupling ring so as toprovide an omni-directional visual indication of the relativepositioning of said mating connector members, an inner cam ring carriedby and having limited axial movement relative to said one connectormember nd engageable by said other member to effect said axial movementthereof, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed in radially openendedbores in said coupling ring between said inner cam ring and said outerband-like member and engageable therewith for transmitting movement ofsaid inner cam ring to radial outward movement of said band-like membertoward said indicating position.
 25. The connector assembly of claim 24wherein said band-like indicating member when in said retracted positionis radially disposed at least within the adjacent peripheral bounds ofsaid coupling ring.
 26. The connector assembly of claim 24 wherein saidband-like indicating member comprises a split ring member which isself-biased radially inwardly toward said retracted position.
 27. Theconnector assembly of claim 26 including spring means between said camring and said one connector member to urge the cam ring axiallyoutwardly relative to the one connector member toward the otherconnector member.
 28. The connector assembly of claim 24 includingdetent means between said cam ring and said one connector memberproviding an audible indication of the mating relation of said connectormembers.
 29. The connector assembly of claim 28 wherein said detentmeans includes a plurality of detent recesses disposed in a radiallyextending, inwardly facing surface of said cam ring, and spring means onsaid one connector member having at least one detent protrusionproviding a ratcheting action with said detent recesses.
 30. Theconnector assembly of claim 24 wherein said coupling ring is carried bysaid one connector member for rotation relative thereto, and saidengageable releasable connecting means between said coupling ring andsaid other connector member is effective for moving the other connectormember axially into mating relation to said one connector member inresponse to said relative rotation of said coupling ring.
 31. Theconnector assembly of claim 24 wherein said band-like indicating membercomprises an expandable split ring member which is self-biased radiallyinwardly toward said retracted position, the free ends of saidexpandable split ring being sufficiently overlapped so as to provide afull 360° peripheral indicating surface for the split ring when in itsexpanded indicating condition.
 32. In a connector assembly includingmating connector members, an expandable indicating band-like membercomprising a split ring which is self-biased radially inwardly, meansfor moving said slit ring between a relaxed condition and an expandedcondition in response to a predetermined mating condition of saidconnector members and the free ends of said expandable split ring beingsufficiently overlapped so as to provide a full 360° periphery for thesplit ring in either said relaxed or said expanded condition.
 33. Theconnector assembly of claim 32 including a pair of said connectormembers and a coupling member for mating said connector members, andwherein said expandable split ring is disposed within a circumferentialperipheral groove of the coupling member and movable radially therein.34. The connector assembly of claim 33 wherein said split ring when insaid relaxed condition is disposed at least within the adjacentperipheral bounds of said coupling member.
 35. The connector assembly ofclaim 34 wherein said split ring when in said expanded condition isdisposed outside the adjacent peripheral bounds of the coupling member.